Simulation studies of current transport in metal–insulator–semiconductor Schottky barrier diodes

The current–voltage characteristics of Schottky diodes with an interfacial insulator layer are analysed by numerical simulation. The current–voltage data of the metal–insulator–semiconductor Schottky diode are simulated using thermionic emission diffusion (TED) equation taking into account an interfacial layer parameter. The calculated current–voltage data are fitted into ideal TED equation to see the apparent effect of interfacial layer parameters on current transport. Results obtained from the simulation studies shows that with mere presence of an interfacial layer at the metal–semiconductor interface the Schottky contact behave as an ideal diode of apparently high barrier height (BH), but with same ideality factor and series resistance as considered for a pure Schottky contact without an interfacial layer. This apparent BH decreases linearly with decreasing temperature. The effects giving rise to high ideality factor in metal–insulator–semiconductor diode are analysed. Reasons for observed temperature dependence of ideality factor in experimentally fabricated metal–insulator–semiconductor diodes are analysed and possible mechanisms are discussed.     

On the skewness of order statistics with applications

Order statistics from heterogeneous samples have been extensively studied in the literature. However, most of the work focused on the effect of heterogeneity on the magnitude or dispersion of order statistics. In this paper, we study the skewness of order statistics from heterogeneous samples according to star ordering. The main results extend the corresponding results in Kochar and Xu (J. Appl. Probab. 46:342–352, 2009; J. Appl. Probab. 48:271–284, 2011). Examples and applications are highlighted as well.     

MgBr2‐Mediated Ionic Diels–Alder Reaction of Acetals of α,β‐Unsaturated Aldehydes and Ketones with 1,3‐Dienes

A facile, mild, and efficient methodology for the ionic Diels–Alder reaction of acetals of α,β‐unsaturated ketones and aldehydes as dienophiles with various 1,3‐dienes employing MgBr₂ as the Lewis acid catalyst to furnish corresponding Diels–Alder adducts at ambient temperature is described.     

Ionic Liquid–Promoted Stereoselective Synthesis of (Z)‐Vinyl Bromides by [bmIm]OH under Organic Solvent–Free Conditions: A Green Approach

A simple and easily accessible ionic liquid, 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hydroxide ([bmIm]OH), has been demonstrated as an efficient promoter and reaction medium for the highly stereoselective synthesis of (Z)‐vinyl bromides by the debrominative decraboxylation of dibrominated α,β‐unsaturated carboxylic acids in high yields. The reaction does not require either a conventional base or an organic solvent.     

Alkaline phosphatase assay using a near-infrared fluorescent substrate merocyanine 700 phosphate

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is a phosphomonoester hydrolase that is commonly used as a conjugating enzyme in biological research. A wide variety of substrates have been developed to assay its activity. In this study, we developed an ALP assay method utilizing merocyanine 700 (MC700) based substrate MC700 phosphate (MC700p). MC700 is a near-infrared fluorescent merocyanine dye, and has excitation/emission maxima at 686 nm/722 nm in ALP assay buffer. Upon hydrolysis by ALP, MC700p is converted to MC700. The fluorescence of MC700 is dependent on the pH and detergent concentration in the buffer. The fluorescence signal produced by MC700p hydrolysis is linearly related to the ALP amount and substrate concentration. A stop solution containing EDTA could be used to stop the ALP/MC700p reaction. It was also demonstrated that MC700p could substitute pNpp as the ALP substrate in a commercial 17β-Estradiol enzyme immunoassay kit.     

Statistical constraints on state preparation for a quantum computer

Quantum computing algorithms require that the quantum register be initially present in a superposition state. To achieve this, we consider the practical problem of creating a coherent superposition state of several qubits. We show that the constraints of quantum statistics require that the entropy of the system be brought down when several independent qubits are assembled together. In particular, we have: (i) not all initial states are realizable as pure states; (ii) the temperature of the system must be reduced. These factors, in addition to decoherence and sensitivity to errors, must be considered in the implementation of quantum computers.     

Total synthesis of (+)-blastmycinone and formal synthesis of (+)-antimycin A3b

The formal synthesis of (+)-antimycin A_3b and the total synthesis of (+)-blastmycinone were achieved using, as a key step, a method developed by us for the synthesis of 2-methyl-1,3-diols via Ti(III)-mediated diastereo- and regioselective opening of trisubstituted 2,3-epoxy alcohols, to carry out the stereoselective construction of the hydroxy-acid segment. An interesting intramolecular radical translocation took place during the epoxide opening process transforming its vicinal PMB-ether in situ, into an ‘1,2-O-(p-methoxy)benzylidene’ ring.